International law firm CMS is teaming up with Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE) and pension experts Hymans Robertson to host a seminar on the growing focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) within pensions policy. The event, set to take place on Tuesday, April 23rd at CMS’s Edinburgh office, will delve into how pension fund assets can be leveraged for long-term projects.
With political and policy attention increasingly turning towards the social and governance aspects of ESG, expert speakers will address key tensions between policy intentions and existing legislative and fiduciary duties applying to pensions. The seminar will also explore the rise of patient capital as an effective means to meet sustainability objectives, with many asset owners adopting a long-term strategy by investing in projects such as renewable energy, forestry, and other natural capital assets.
Karagh Gilliatt, a partner and financial services specialist at CMS, expressed excitement about the event, highlighting the importance of the growing focus on ESG within pension funds. Amanda Cooke, a senior associate in the pensions team who will chair the event, emphasized the potential tensions between policy and existing duties, as well as the pressure to enhance member value in pension investments.
The seminar is open to all SFE members and promises to provide valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges of patient or long-term capital investments. Attendees can expect to learn how these developments will impact pension fund asset owners and drive investment into the UK economy. For more details on the event, interested individuals can visit the SFE website.